You can get involved and stay involved with your children's school by making their education a priority.

If you’re a parent, you’re a teacher. You may not have had a single education course, but as your child’s mom or dad, you’re his primary educator.

Your child’s education depends on a strong link between home and school, good communication between parents and teachers, and consistent goals.

According to a study by the National Center for Family and Community Connections with Schools, parents’ involvement in their child’s schooling produces:

• Higher grades and test scores
• Better attendance
• More positive attitudes toward school
• Better behavior
• Higher graduation rates and
• Increased enrollment in education after high school.

There are many ways you can get involved in your child’s school, work with his teachers and administrators, and reinforce his education at home.

1. Volunteer in the school as much as you can

Many stay-at-home parents say the biggest advantage of not working outside the home is their ability to get into their child’s school during the day. Being in the school on a regular basis puts you in touch with what’s going on and makes it easier for you to talk with school professionals when you have a question or concern.

Look carefully at all the volunteer opportunities your school offers for parents.

If you have babies and little ones at home, ask about the possibility of taking them with you when you volunteer at school. Or arrange a babysitting trade with another mom volunteer to take turns babysitting and volunteering on alternating days.

2. Volunteer outside school

If you find it difficult to get into the school during the week, volunteer for behind-the-scenes projects. Most teachers need cutting and pasting, paperwork and other tasks that can be done anywhere, anytime.

You’ll be helping your child’s teacher by offering to do these jobs at home.

3. Join the parent-teacher organization

Most schools have a PTO, PTA or other parent-teacher organization that provides opportunities for parents to get involved.

Keep up with your school’s goings-on by reading newsletters and attending meetings as often as you can.

4. Be involved at home

You don’t have to be inside the school building to keep up on what your child is doing.

Joyce Epstein of Johns Hopkins University writes in the Parent Institute publication “It’s Never Too Late to Get Involved” you can consider yourself a school volunteer if you read aloud with your child, set aside a regular time and place for homework, keep track of how well he’s doing in school, and even by going to the library with him.

Make the dinner table the place for conversation about school. Ask your child what happened that day, what assignments he got, what grades he got back. Make it interesting by coming up with some fun conversation starters.

Reinforce the importance of reading by taking your child to the library often, reading with him, and participating in a book club with your child.

5. Stay in touch with teachers

Communicating with your child’s teachers is essential to a successful partnership. Take every opportunity to attend scheduled parent-teacher conferences. Be sure to get phone contact information and email addresses and don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher if you have a question or a concern.

Sources: Anne T. Henderson and Karen L. Mapp, "A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family and Community Connections on Student Achievement," National Center for Family & Community Connections with Schools; The Parent Institute.